Pakistan asylum seeker Fawad Ahmed to continue living, playing cricket Down Under

A PAKISTAN cricketer who helped Australia prepare for the first Test has been granted a permanent visa by the government.

News Corp Australia NetworkNovember 15, 20121:20pm

South African spin threat Imran Tahir warms up and rolls the arm before bowling to Australia A at the SCG.Source:Getty Images

A PAKISTAN cricketer who has helped Michael Clarke's team prepare for the series against South Africa will be allowed to stay in Australia after being granted a permanent visa by the government.

Fawad Ahmed, a leg leg-spin bowler who plays club cricket in Melbourne, hopes to one day play at state level or in the KFC T20 Big Bash League.

However of more concern to the asylum seeker - at least until this week - were his immediate living arrangements.

"The Immigration Minister Chris Bowen has personally considered Mr Ahmed's case and decided to grant a permanent visa for him to be able to stay, work and play cricket in Australia, subject to the normal health and security checks which he'll now undertake," a spokesman for the Immigration Minister said in a statement.

Ahmed was flown to Brisbane last week to bowl to the Aussies in the nets in a bid to help the home side in the event that Imran Tahir played.